'I'm Qualified'

Wilmington (NC) Ashley star wideout Geron James recently received some good news, as the NC State signee learned that he is now fully qualified.

"I'm qualified," Geron James told Pack Pride. "I've got the score I need, and I'm ready to get up to Raleigh. I'm moving in the 5th of July, and I have the East-West All-Star game on the 20th."

James and another Wolfpack signee, Doug Palmer, were selected to play in the 57th annual NCCA Oasis Shrine East-West All-Star Football Game July 20th at 8:00. Both Wolfpack signees will be playing for the East All-Stars.

"I'm excited about it," James said. "I want to see what kind of competition they have out west. I'm going in with the mindset to make plays and win the game. I want to do all I can to make sure the East team wins the game."

Earlier in the spring James and Ashley teammate Levin Neal, who also inked with the Wolfpack, visited NC State to watch a spring practice. He had a chance to watch the quarterbacks in action and speak with the Wolfpack coaches about potential playing time.

"I went up there a few weeks ago and watched a scrimmage," James said. "It was real good. I saw how the quarterbacks were throwing. They are looking good, both Marcus Stone and Jay Davis. I look forward to them throwing the ball to me.

"The coaches told me and Levin that we are coming in to fill in some spots. I liked that because it shows they have confidence in us."

James has been working on his strength and frame so he'll be physically ready to play as a true freshman.

"I'm up to 6'5 and 186-pounds. I'm hoping I'll gain another five or six pounds before I get up there to maintain this weight during practices," he said. "I think they want me at about 190 pounds in my first year."

At 6'5, 185-pounds and with 4.45-second speed in the 40, James will add another dimension to the Pack's wide receiver repertoire. He starred as a senior for Ashley, finishing the year with 43 receptions for 920 yards and 17 touchdowns.

He has the combination of speed, long arms and jumping ability that could potentially make him a huge factor in the passing game at NC State. Where does he feel he can help the most?

"I like working the red zone," said James. "I want a quarterback to throw the fade and let me go get it because I think I can get all of them. I'll go across the middle too and make the tough catches. I think I can do it all at receiver, but I do like making plays in the red zone."

Player Comments: "I'm going to bring that deep threat. That's going to be my role. I feel I've got the total package. I have the speed, the height, and the hands. I'm trying to do something with this team." -- Geron James

Guru Comments: "Geron has learned how to use his big frame and basketball background to go up and grab the ball at its highest point over shorter defenders. With soft hands, and great body control, James has plenty of potential as a deep threat on underthrown balls and his ability to move once he has the ball on the ground allows him to make good cuts and cross the face of defenders." -- ACC Recruiting Analyst Miller Safrit